A novel strategy to optimize critical information on over the counter labels for older adults.

Background and Aims: Labels designed to communicate critical information are paramount for the safe and effective use of over-the-counter medications; in recognition of this, the content and formatting of over the counter (OTC) labels sold in interstate commerce has been regulated for decades. Yet, available studies suggest that consumers frequently rely on limited information during decision making, failing to access the information required in the Drug Facts Label. This is particularly important for older consumers, who are at greater risk for adverse reactions to medicines. In two experiments we objectively evaluate how novel label designs that employ highlighting and a warning label placed on the package's front impact older consumers' attention to, and use of, critical information. Methods: In Experiment 1, 68 OTC patients (65+) engaged with a computer-based task answering yes/no scenario-based questions about a drug's appropriateness. In Experiment 2, 63 OTC patients (65+) conducted a forced-choice task where one of two drugs presented on a computer screen was appropriate for a provided scenario while the other was not. Both tasks required participants to access and use critical label information (i.e., warnings or active ingredients) to respond correctly. Dependent variables analyzed were the proportion of correct responses and time to correct response. Results: Highlighting or placing critical information on the front of the package significantly improved response accuracy and time to correct response in Experiment 1 as compared to responses utilizing the standard label. For Experiment 2, participants were faster and more accurate when critical information was highlighted. Conclusions: Results provide direct measures of the efficacy of novel labeling strategies. This information is relevant for regulations which dictate label design in ways that enhance ease and safety of use of medications for older adults.

Identifying over-the-counter information to prioritize for the purpose of reducing adverse drug reactions in older adults: A national survey of pharmacists.

BACKGROUND: Over-the-counter (OTC) medication use is associated with risks of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), particularly among older adults. The Drug Facts Label (DFL) is supposed to provide consumers with information that would avoid ADRs, yet research suggests that consumers frequently fail to interact with this critical information. We postulate that emphasizing critical information by placing it on the front of the package may increase its usage. Before doing so, the most critical information from the DFL needs to be identified. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine which information from the DFL is most critical in reducing ADRs at the time of purchase or use by older adults. METHODS: A national survey of practicing pharmacists knowledgeable about OTC medication use by older adults asked participants to rank order the importance of the DFL sections to reduce ADRs in older adults. Open-ended questions focused on identifying ways of improving OTC medication labeling. Quantitative rankings were used to calculate the content validity ratio and analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Qualitative results were categorized into themes. RESULTS: A total of 318 responses (12% response rate) were analyzed. There was high consensus that uses and purpose, active ingredient, warnings, and directions for use were the most important sections of the DFL. Within the warning section, 2 specific warnings, "Do not use" and "Ask a doctor or pharmacist," were deemed most important. Similarly, qualitative themes focused on seeking health care provider assistance or were specific to age-related precautions. CONCLUSIONS: Prioritizing warnings that highlight the importance of possible drug-drug and drug-disease precautions and the need to seek medical advice before taking OTC medications were deemed most critical. Moving this type of information to the front of the package may help reduce ADRs among older adults.

Implementation of a pharmacist and student pharmacist-led primary care service to identify and treat rural veterans at risk for osteoporotic fracture.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and implement a pharmacist and student pharmacist-led osteoporosis service to increase dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) screening rates among rural veterans and treat those at high risk of osteoporotic fractures. PRACTICE DESCRIPTION: Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to provide direct patient care in the Department of Veterans Affairs ambulatory care setting owing to their broad scope of practice. Clinical Pharmacy Specialists (CPSs) have the authority to order laboratory tests and imaging, prescribe medications, refer patients to specialty services, and monitor patients along with the primary care team. PRACTICE INNOVATION: The implementation of a pharmacist-led osteoporosis primary prevention service using student pharmacists to identify and treat patients has not been previously described in the literature to the authors' knowledge. EVALUATION METHODS: Student pharmacists in their third year contacted veterans who met the inclusion criteria for osteoporosis screening. The veterans were offered DXA scans and provided education on the risk factors for osteoporosis. After the DXA scans were completed, the students and the CPS reviewed the results to determine treatment strategies. The primary objective was evaluated by comparing the pre- and post-implementation rates of DXA screening. The other process markers that were evaluated included (1) completed DXA scans, (2) new diagnoses of osteoporosis or osteopenia, (3) patients eligible for treatment on the basis of the DXA screening results, and (4) patients who started oral bisphosphonate therapy. RESULTS: Of the 232 rural veterans evaluated, 36 had completed DXA scans before this service was implemented. After the service was implemented, 115 veterans completed DXA scans. A total of 57 patients received a new diagnosis, 33 were eligible for therapy, and 12 started oral bisphosphonate therapy after intervention by the CPS. CONCLUSION: The implementation of a pharmacist-driven osteoporosis screening and treatment service demonstrated an increase in the rate of DXA screening among rural veterans.

Impact of a pilot community pharmacy system redesign on reducing over-the-counter medication misuse in older adults.

BACKGROUND: No interventions have attempted to decrease misuse of over-the-counter (OTC) medications for adults aged 65 years or older (older adults) by addressing system barriers. An innovative structural pharmacy redesign (the Senior Section) was conceptualized to increase awareness of higher-risk OTC medications. The Senior Section contains a curated selection of OTC medications and is close to the prescription department to facilitate pharmacy staff-patient engagement to reduce misuse. OBJECTIVE: This pilot study examined the Senior Section's effectiveness at influencing OTC medication misuse in older adults. METHODS: A pretest-post-test nonequivalent groups design was used to recruit 87 older adults from 3 pharmacies. Using a hypothetical scenario, the participants selected an OTC medication that was compared with their medication list and health conditions, and their reported use was compared with the product labeling. Misuse outcomes comprised drug-drug, drug-disease, drug-age, and drug-label, with 5 subtypes. Patient characteristics were compiled into a propensity score matching logistic regression model to estimate their effects on the Senior Section's association with misuse at pre- or postimplementation. RESULTS: Patient characteristics were uniform between pre- and postimplementation, and, once entered into a propensity score matching model, drug-label misuse (exceeds daily dosage) statistically significantly lessened over time (z = -2.42, P = 0.015). In addition, the Senior Section reduced drug-label misuse (exceeds single dosage) for both the raw score model (z = -6.38, P = 0.011) and the model in which the patient characteristics propensity score was added (z = -5.82, P = 0.011). Despite these limited statistical effects, misuse was found to decrease after implementation for 7 of 11 comparisons. CONCLUSION: These nascent outcomes begin providing an evidence base to support a well-conceived, pharmacy-based OTC medication-aisle redesign for reducing older adult OTC medication misuse. The Senior Section, when broadly implemented, creates permanent structures and processes to assist older adults to access risk information when selecting safer OTC medications.

Effects of enzyme-inducing antiseizure medication on vitamin D dosing in adult veterans with epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: The association of antiseizure medication (ASM) and bone density abnormalities has long been recognized; however, there remains a lack of consensus on efficacy and optimal vitamin D dosing in patients receiving enzyme inducing and non-inducing ASMs. The objective was to explore the relationship between ASMs and vitamin D supplementation requirements in a population of adult patients with epilepsy. METHODS: Patients with a diagnosis of epilepsy receiving supplemental vitamin D were included in this retrospective chart review. All instances of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD) measured among those patients were compared between patients taking an enzyme inducing antiseizure medication (EIASM) to patients receiving ASM regimens only containing non-enzyme inducing antiseizure medications (NIASM). ASM use, prescription and over the counter (OTC) vitamin D use, 25-OHD plasma concentration, presence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), age, gender, and ethnicity were collected. Multiple linear regression was used to adjust for potentially confounding variables; the model included a cluster by participant term to account for repeated patients in the dataset. RESULTS: There were 542 vitamin D levels evaluated from 172 unique patients. There was an 11.5 % higher absolute percent increase in patients who achieved a 25-OHD level over 30 ng/mL in the NIASM (p = 0.012). Patients on EIASMs were supplemented with an additional 508 units of vitamin D daily (95 %CI 136-878, p = 0.007). When adjusted for CKD, OTC vitamin D use, OTC multivitamin use, age, gender, and ethnicity, patients on EIASMs were supplemented with an additional 445 units of vitamin D (95 %CI -69 to 960, p = 0.089) compared to NIASM use. CONCLUSIONS: Patients taking EIASMs had an increase in vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D supplementation suggesting that EIASMs impact vitamin D metabolism. Closer monitoring of vitamin D status in patients with epilepsy, especially those on EIASMs, is warranted. This evaluation suggests that for patients taking ASM, use of a lower dose OTC requires closer monitoring of vitamin D status in patients with epilepsy, especially those on EIASMs, is warranted. vitamin D agent may not be adequate.

Intentional Application of the Taba Curriculum Model to Develop a Rural Pharmacy Practice Course.

The changing profession of pharmacy demands student preparation in dynamic courses that address the evolving healthcare landscape. Identifying an evidence-based approach to develop such coursework and content, however, can be a considerable challenge for curriculum innovators. This manuscript explores how curriculum design models can be applied as a guide to promote purposeful development of new curriculum, with the goal of promoting students as APPE, practice, and career-ready practitioners. Authors specifically describe a case study example for the process of creating a novel rural health course using the Taba curriculum design model as a guide for selecting course content, objectives, teaching strategies, learning experiences, and evaluative measures. Through the incorporation of the Taba model, this manuscript presents an evidence-based approach to curriculum development which can be replicated across schools and colleges of pharmacy. The described approach to curriculum design, which integrates models to guide the creative process, is a systematic approach to developing curriculum with purpose. Additional opportunities exist for curriculum innovators across the academy to explore incorporation of curriculum design models to guide course development, as well as to drive curricular assessment strategies and further curriculum refinement.

Impact of a medication therapy management intervention targeting medications associated with falling: Results of a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The use of fall risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) by older adults is one factor associated with falling, and FRID use is common among older adults. A targeted medication therapy management intervention focused on FRID use that included prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, along with follow-up telephone calls was designed. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine preliminary effects of a medication therapy management (MTM) intervention focused on FRIDs provided by a community pharmacist to older adults. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: One community pharmacy. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty older adults who completed a fall prevention workshop. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measures were the rate of discontinuing FRIDs, the proportion of older adults falling, and the number of falls. A secondary outcome was the acceptance rate of medication recommendations by patients and prescribers. RESULTS: Thirty-eight older adults received the targeted MTM intervention. Of the 31 older adults using a FRID, a larger proportion in the intervention group had FRID use modified relative to controls (77% and 28%, respectively; P < 0.05). There were no significant changes between the study groups in the risk and rate of falling. Medication recommendations in the intervention group had a 75% acceptance rate by patients and prescribers. CONCLUSION: A targeted MTM intervention provided by a community pharmacist and focused on FRID use among older adults was effective in modifying FRID use. This result supports the preliminary conclusion that community pharmacists can play an important role in modifying FRID use among older adults.

The Development of a Community-Based, Pharmacist-Provided Falls Prevention MTM Intervention for Older Adults: Relationship Building, Methods, and Rationale.

The objectives of this article are to discuss the process of community engagement experienced to plan and implement a pilot study of a pharmacist-provided MTM intervention focused on reducing the use of medications associated with falling, and to present the research methods that emerged from the community engagement process to evaluate the feasibility, acceptance, and preliminary impact of the intervention. Key lessons learned from the community engagement process also are presented and discussed. The relationship building and planning process took twelve months. The RE-AIM framework broadly guided the planning process since an overarching goal for the community partners was developing a program that could be implemented and sustained in the future. The planning phase focused on identifying research questions that were of most interest to the community partners, the population to study, the capacity of partners to perform activities, process evaluation. Much of the planning phase was accomplished with face-to-face meetings. After all study processes, study materials, and data collection tools were developed, a focus group of older adults who represented the likely targets of the MTM intervention provided feedback related to the concept and process of the intervention. Nine key lessons were identified from the community engagement process. One key to successful community engagement is partners taking the time to educate each other about experiences, processes, and success and failures. Additionally, partners must actively listen to each other to better understand barriers and facilitators that likely will impact the planning and implementation process. Successful community engagement will be important to develop both formative and summative evaluation processes that will help to produce valid evidence about the effectiveness of pharmacists in modifying drug therapy and preventing falls as well as promote adoption and implementation of the intervention in other communities.

Patient attitudes regarding pharmacist-administered memory screening in community pharmacies.

OBJECTIVES: To describe patient attitudes toward pharmacist-administered memory screening in community pharmacies and assess patient satisfaction with screening in this venue. METHODS: One pharmacist in each of two pharmacies performed a background assessment and administered the Mini-Mental State Examination, the category (animal) fluency test, and the clock-drawing test to participants 60 to 75 years of age with no previous diagnosis of cognitive impairment and who were not taking a prescribed medication for dementia. Participants then completed a 28-item Likert-type scale evaluation. Responses to survey items of "agree" and "strongly agree" were aggregated. RESULTS: 26 participants were recruited with a mean (±SD) age of 66.7 ± 5.5 years. Agree and strongly agree response rates of 75% or greater were considered indicative of strongly positive attitudes or beliefs and likely to influence participants' decisions to be screened in community pharmacies. The majority of participants responded favorably to several aspects of offering memory screening in pharmacies, including the accuracy of testing by a trained pharmacist (84%), willingness to be screened by a trained pharmacist (80%), willingness to undergo annual screening (92%), and convenience of the pharmacy as a location for memory screening (100%). A slightly lower percent of participants (72%) agreed or strongly agreed that they would be willing to have their memory tested in any pharmacy offering the service. Less than one-half of participants (45.5%) indicated that they would be willing to pay out of pocket for the screening. CONCLUSION: Responses to the evaluation and statistically significant correlations among evaluation items suggested that memory screening by pharmacists in community pharmacies was a feasible, acceptable, and convenient venue for routine screening.

Geriatric pharmacy education: a strategic plan for the future.

The aging of the US population will have a major effect on the future practice of pharmacy. By 2030, 20% of Americans will be aged 65 years and older, an increase from 12.4% in 2000. A challenge to colleges and schools of pharmacy in the 21st century is to prepare students and practitioners to meet the growing pharmaceutical care needs of the older adult population and to meet these needs in a variety of care settings. This paper reviews the present state of geriatric pharmacy education and training, including strategies for ensuring that practicing pharmacists will have adequate knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to provide this care. Secondly, this report provides strategic directions and recommendations for successfully implementing geriatrics curricula at an institutional level.